Category: Lifestyle

So I’ve decided to start a new blog series called “In My Make-Up Bag” where I will be writing about the make up items I cannot live without and go with me everywhere.

This week, I want to tell you about my favourite eyeliner duo. My Avon True colour liner in Blackest Black and my Essence Liquid Ink waterproof liner. These two liners complete every single make up look I do- I simply cannot live without it.

Avon True

This liner I stumbled on when my mom’s friend gave me the make up she wasn’t using anymore, before I had never used Avon products. This one blew me away and when I finished my first one, I was desperate to replace it.

Why do I love it, you ask? Well, for starters the colour is out of this world, there’s no need to apply more than once and it lasts all day and all night – re-applications are a thing of the past. It doesn’t smudge or create black lines under my eyes like other liners have done in the past. I love it.

It’s great as an alternative to eye pencil users, it doesn’t need to be sharpened and it never fails to impress.

Essence Liquid Ink

I’ve been using this for years and have never changed to an alternative liquid liner. It’s affordable and most importantly – Waterproof. It’s application brush is extremely thin and flexible which overs a precise line for wined eyeliner looks.

As I am a performer, I needed a liner that wouldn’t smudge with sweat or run during a performance- and this one certainly lasts as long as I need it.

As someone who suffers from extremely dry hands, especially at this time of the year, I am always on the hunt for a good hand lotion to save me from peeling skin on my hands. This is why I was very happy to receive the Dove DermaSpa Indulgent Hand Treatment from Rubybox.

I put my hands through a lot, if they’re not lifting dumbbells at the gym, then they’re carrying plates and cutlery at work. As a result I have calluses on my hands and peeling skin. I experience this even more during the change of season and nothing I’ve used in the past has been able to help.

I’ve been using this product for the past two weeks and have really enjoyed my trial, I find that my hands feel instantly smoother after application and they look amazing. It contains a hint of shimmer which contributes to luminous looking skin.

The Dove Indulgent Hand Cream contains Omega Oil and cell moisturizers, and the fact that it is fast-absorbing means it gives gives your hands the ultimate spa experience- and it fits in your hand bag. It’s become the product I cannot leave home without these days.

While my hands still have a bit of peeling skin, they feel 100 times better than they did before I started using this product. I’m sure with continued use, dry hands will be a thing of the past for me- and I am so ready for that!

For me, the search for a good sports bra, is never ending. But every now and then, when I do happen to find one, I wear it all the way till it’s dying day.

That’s why when the Beauty Bulletin asked me to trial a range of active bras from Anita, I was more than willing. I then attended a bra trial and fitting with the Anita team and learnt a lot about why a good sports bra is essential for every woman.

So why are they so important?

Well for starters, you’ll have experienced that your boobs bounce around when exercising, while bouncing is a natural thing for breasts, it can have serious long term effects on them. Your breasts have no muscles therefore the ligaments which give your breasts their size and shape, can break down during exercise when your boobs are bouncing. This then leads to sagging.

A good sports bra will also help prevent bad posture and back pain especially in women with bigger breasts. (Whats up ladies!)

Get a Fit That’s Right For You:

When fitting a sports bra, you want to make sure you’re working with a professional. If you’re stuck by yourself however you want to get it right.

Most ladies will notice that one of their breasts are larger than the other- it is important to always fit a bra to your bigger breast.

When you put on a bra, you wanna scoop the boob from the arm pit and bring it into the bra cup – resulting in as little side boob as possible. Once this is done, you also want to ensure that your boobs aren’t bulging over the top. As this means the bra is either too tight around the back or the cup size is too small.

The last check is to do some bouncing exercises and see if the bra is offering the support you require.

About Anita:

Anita Bras has an active range that focuses on comfort and support above all else. And their cup sizes go up to a J (Thankfully!) Their design is fashionable and the attention to detail is evident on every bra. Their seams are completely flat, which contributes to a comfortable fit, that doesn’t cause any irritation. The fabric is soft and breathable but still offers amazing support.

They’ve also released a crop top which works as a support system for sports bras you already own but may not be giving you the support you need.

My Opinion:

The bras are extremely comfortable, they gave me a sports bra and a crop top to accompany it.

I’ve been working out only using Anita bras the past week and I can definitely see a difference. My boob bounce has decreased and I don’t feel the need to hold onto the girls every time I break into a jog.

I really like the fact that the straps are cushioned and easily adjustable – The strap tightness can be changed at the front of the bra! This helps a lot, because during a workout, once the fabric heats up, your bra might allow for more bounce, you can then adjust it accordingly to eliminate the bounce!

I’m really in love with the crop top. The design is perfection and the fabric feels amazing on the skin. And it really just gives you that extra bit of support when you need it.

I do wish that they were able to give me a cup size one bigger than the one I received, I think then it would have been a perfect fit for me, but using the crop top with it as well has compensated for the incorrect sizing.

All in all, its a beautifully designed sports bra that does exactly what you need it to do. If you’re a woman looking for better support while exercising, I would definitely recommend Anita Active Bras. They’re available at a Storm In a G Cup store near you or online at Anita.Com

So the lovely ladies at Rubybox sent me the new Nice ‘n Easy hair dye to try out. I picked the shade Light Auburn, as I like my hair (which is naturally very dark) to have a reddish tone to it.

Check out my video review here:

This product is armed with a new formula that does not damage your hair. Which sounds too good to be true- because DIY hair dyes are infamous for causing hair damage. But the new Nice ‘n Easy formula has conditioners IN EVERY STEP- so no matter where you are in the process, you can rest assured your hair is being cared for.

They’ve also gone out of their way to ensure their product is allergy safe and that it provides 100% grey coverage for all my over 20 Somethings out there!

First Impression:

The packaging is beautiful, the bottles are decorated with a floral pattern and it’s clear a lot of time went into this design.

It smells amazing- I’ve never used a dye that smells this good. It’s better than any shampoo I’ve used.

Application:

Application is quick and easy, thanks to the squeeze nozzle on the application bottle. Though they’ve made an effort to create a sweet smelling dye, it is still hair dye and the typical hair dye smell does come through but it’s complimented with floral tones so it’s not overbearing.

It’s recommended to be left in for 25 mins. I usually like to add on an extra ten minutes to the recommended time- due to my dark hair.

The conditioner is amazing- after just two minutes my hair felt smooth and conditioned and was super easy to comb through afterwards- plus it doesn’t leave you with that “after-dye” hair smell.

The box promises a “non- drip application” – I did find that I did mess quite a lot while applying. But once the product is in your hair, it doesn’t drip.

The Verdict:

I’m very impressed with this product. This is my first time using Nice ‘N Easy- my hair doesn’t even feel like it’s been dyed because it’s looking and feeling so healthy after my application.

Before and After: See how it got through to my dark roots?

The colour didn’t achieve exactly what I was hoping for, but I think that was just my mistake when choosing. Next time I’ll choose a lighter shade, which will have a better impact on my naturally dark hair. This product wins at smelling like a dream. And I will definitely be using it again in future.

Hey Guys! So above is my video review of the Sorbet Make Up Foundation Range.

I purchased the shade in SAND thats part of the Face First Range. It’s a Medium Coverage foundation that contains SPF 15 and a serum that fights any signs of ageing!

I am absolutely head-over-heels for this product as it has reached every expectation I had for it. It’s really light wearing on my skin, it spreads and applies easily, my application brush feels fluffy after use – which means the foundation doesn’t clump and ruin your brushes and it lasted me all night!

Very impressed with this product! Head over to your nearest Clicks and get yours for just R289! How ridiculously cheap is that?

I’ve always been a fan of Micellar water for make up removal. It’s gentle on the skin and has great beauty benefits. So when I found out that Nivea had released their own Micellar range, I had to join the party.

Shout out to Rubybox for sending me this awesome product.

Firstly. Can we talk about the size of the bottle?! It’s huge. This is definitely gonna last me a few months. I hate having to restock products that finish too soon, especially something I use as often as make up remover.

What makes this different from other Micellar products?

Well for starters, it’s a three in one product that can be used for cleansing, removing make up and toning your face. So essentially- this is the only product you need. I have the entire Perfect and Radiant range now (thanks to Rubybox you guys rock) and I find that this product fits in perfectly with my skincare routine.

Also it’s great for days when I’m feeling lazy about cleansing my face, I just dab some product in a cotton wool swob and give my face a refreshing cleanse (also, saving water! #beatdayzero)

It removes make up effortlessly. My waterproof make up wipes off without having to scrub the skin off my face.

I often struggled, with previous Micellar products, to remove my mascara. But this product removes mascara quick and painlessly.

The formula is enriched with Vitamin E which contributes to easy make up removal, Radiant skin and it also leaves the skin feeling incredibly nourished and smooth.

A 400ml bottle will cost you R99.99 at any Clicks and Dischem store nationwide.

I’m definitely switching to this product in future for my make up removal needs.

So this week I tried something different and had my nails done at Hello Gorgeous, and instead of getting my usual gelish mani I opted for a Shellac manicure– which seems to be the specialty at Hello Gorgeous.

What is Shellac?

According to my nail therapist at Hello Gorgeous, it’s a form of gel that’s a lot better for the nails as it’s thinner than gelish. It promises a 14 day wear. It’s cured under a UV lamp as is gelish. And it’s removal is healthier and gentler on your nails, as it doesn’t need to be scraped off.

My opinion?

My nails look awesome. And I can definitely feel that it’s thinner and lighter on my nails. The colour options are fairly limited, I would have loved to be more creative in my choices.

I had my nails done on Saturday, and by Monday morning one of my nails already started chipping. I had a glitter overlay on my ring fingers and this looked great at the salon but when I left I noticed the top coat was bubbling up a bit.

If you look closely you can see the top coat bubbling up. 😦

I’ll wait the full two weeks before I deliver my final verdict.

Hello Gorgeous Newlands!

What a pleasant salon experience! You walk in to be greeted by “HELLO GORGEOUS” exclaimed by all the staff. The salon is small and intimate but there’s enough space for them to do several manicures and pedicures at once. They have a facial service too(which I didn’t test out). Upon arrival I was offered tea, coffee or water and my manicurist was able to keep me entertained throughout my treatment. They go above and beyond to accommodate your nail needs.

They were even able to fix my annoying broken nail, which other salons just shrugged at when I asked them to fix it for me! #miracleworkers

Their prices are a bit higher than normal salons but still affordable, considering the great service. I will defiantly be returning.

Today we have something for the fella’s. The new Nivea Men Body Deodorisers! I got sent a box of these new deodorants from Manbox (it’s like Rubybox, but for guys! Sign your guy up!) So I passed them on to my man and let him test them out for the past two weeks.

What make’s this new product Next Level?:
– It promises over 500 sprays per can – hello value for money!
– All day long odour control with just 1 use, so no need to reapply throughout the day.
– No-Gas breakthrough technology – this delivers a targeted application to the spot so you won’t be wasting the product.
– Lasts 5x longer than competing deodorants
– For R44.99 only, you can experience this all day freshness!

Here’s what my man had to say about the product:

“I was really excited to receive this new range, as I have just started gyming again and have been looking for a product I can rely on to keep me fresh during and after a workout. I love the different scents of this range and it’s no-gas technology, making application more like a cologne than a deodorant, is definitely a plus. My favourite scents are “Intense” and “Cool Kick”.

I found that this range kept me fresh during the day, when I wasn’t working out. However, when I did hit the gym, the deodoriser didn’t keep me as fresh as I would have liked. It resulted in a more musky smell than a fresh one.

I’ll definitely be adding this product to my daily routine, in conjunction with my roll on. It’s a great product and definitely something new on the market.”

So there you have it boys. Ladies, if you’re looking to add something to your man, try out this range, you won’t regret it.

It’s the 1st of March which means your favorite salon is launching their own Make Up line!

Yes lovelies, Sorbet has launched its own make up brand and I was there last night to preview it! So here’s what you need to know!

There are 28 foundation colours! So you’re bound to find your colour! Last night at the preview there were Make Up artists helping us all find our perfect match. The foundations come in three different packages, which includes a mousse foundation! Sorbet has really gone all out to ensure they are catering for everybody!

But you’re going to die when you see the rest of the range! Three new eyeshadow palettes, three new mascaras, an eyebrow kit, a beautiful range of lipsticks (including a matte range), cheek stamps, eyeliner- the list goes on and on.

Here are my favorite products from last night!

Glow and Tell

⁃ Fam! You will never need another highlighter again in your life. This gave my skin some major glow. I fell in love. I’ll definitely be rocking this highlighter all week.

Squeaky Clean!

⁃ This is a liquid brush and sponge cleanser. Gone are the days of having to mix your own brush cleaning solution. Just pop a little bit of this into a container and dip your brush- voila! Cleaning brushes has never been so easy.

Way-Out Lashes

⁃ This mascara is amazing. It has added fibers which give you longer lashes that are defined and ready to conquer the world.

So there you have it! Head to your nearest Clicks Store now and get your hands on the new Sorbet Make Up Range! Also, did I mention how adorable they are?

Hit us up in the comments and tell us what product you are most excited about!

Now my eyebrows have always been an obsession of mine. I used to have monster brows growing up, but at the age of 15 I discovered the beauty of threading!

I love getting my eyebrows threaded because of the incredible definition My eyebrow lady is able to achieve by doing it. But you can’t just get them threaded anywhere, lots of salons are completely over priced when it comes to threading and majority of the time they do a below average job.

When it comes to threading there are only two women in my life: Vasanta and Rashmi. Both situated in the Crawford/Rondebosch East area.

I started attending Rashmis beauty and Spa years ago, her home has been transformed into a beautiful salon and everything is incredibly decorated, neat and hygienic. The reason I stopped making appointments there is because I could never get a last minute appointment, because she became so popular that she was literally always full. So I haven’t been to Rashmi in a few years, but if you’re fine with booking two weeks in advance for an appointment, she’s the one for you.

When I found Vasanta, who’s literally just around the corner for Rashmi, the game changed. Though her establishment isn’t as pretty, it’s actually pretty rough. Two beds squeezed into a small room with a curtain separating them while Vasanta and her assistant Ashti get to work on your brows. If you can get over the look of it, your in for a treat because I pay R50 for lip and brow threading. R50!!! It’s insanely cheap. And she’s amazing at what she does. And what’s better, she fits me in whenever. Like literally I can whatsapp her and ask if I can come in 10 minutes and she makes it happen. Vasanta is bae.

Anyways, now you have my eyebrow secrets. Oh! Here are their numbers if you want to book: